171 General Knowledge Questions Flashcards
1
Q
1 . With a BAC of __, most people lose consciousness, and some die.
A
0.4
2
Q
To prevent a load from shifting, there should be at least one tie-down for every __ feet of cargo.
A
10
3
Q
Name two situations in which the legal maximum weights may not be safe to haul
A
During bad weather; in mountains
4
Q
If you are stopped at a rest area and found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02, you will be placed out of service for
A
24 hours
5
Q
The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving is about ____ at highway speed.
A
1/4 mile
6
Q
Inspect your cargo after you have driven
A
25 miles or 50 miles, depending on the law in the state you are in; Again after 3 hours or 150 miles; and after every stop for a break.
7
Q
Medical certificates must be renewed every
A
2 years
8
Q
What is the minimum tread depth for tires other than front tires?
A
2/32 inch
9
Q
Escape ramps are
A
Used to stop runaway vehicles
10
Q
You are driving a vehicle that can be driven safely at 55 mph on an open road. Although the speed limit
is 55 mph, traffic is heavy, moving at 35 mph. The safest speed for your vehicle in this situation is
A
35 MPH
11
Q
If you are driving a 30-foot vehicle at 55 mph, how
many seconds of following distance should you allow?
A
4 seconds
12
Q
How far ahead should you be looking while driving
in town?
A
1 block
13
Q
When driving a commercial vehicle with a height over 13 feet, you should
A
Stop and make sure if you aren’t certain that a clearance is high enough
14
Q
In your mirror, you see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you check your mirror, you don’t
see the car. To change lanes, you should
A
Wait until you are sure the car isn’t in your blind spot
15
Q
Turn signals should be used
A
At least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes
16
Q
If you are driving a long distance, you should
A
Stop often and take short breaks before you feel really drowsy or tired
17
Q
What does «axle weight» mean?
A
The weight transmitted to the ground by once axle or one set of axles
18
Q
The distance your vehicle travels from the time your eyes see a hazard to the time your brain recognizes it is called
A
Perception distance
19
Q
Optional safety equipment may include emergency phone numbers, tire chains, and
A
Tire changing equipment
20
Q
To prevent brake fade, you should
A
Select a gear that will keep your vehicle at a safe speed on steep downgrades
21
Q
Wheel bearing should be checked for
A
Leaks
22
Q
One can recognize hazardous materials by looking at the container’s
A
Label
23
Q
High beams should be
A
Used when it is safe to do so
24
Q
How do you calculate how many seconds of following distance you have?
A
Wait until the vehicle ahead of you passes a clear landmark. Then count off the seconds until you reach the same spot
25
How do you test the hydraulic brakes for leaks
Pump the brake pedal three times; then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold it for five seconds. The pedal should not move
26
Name two causes of fires
Underinflated tires and duals that touch
27
What does <> mean in safe driving?
Letting other drivers know you're there to help prevent crashes
28
28. What is the proper way to hold the steering wheel?
Firmly, with both hands on opposite sides of the wheel
29
29. The tendency for long commercial vehicles to swing wide on turns is called
Off tracking
30
30 How does the height of the vehicle's center of gravity affect safe handling?
Trucks with a high center of gravity can roll over at the posted speed limit for a curve
31
31. You do not have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement on your commercial driver's license. You are asked to deliver hazardous materials in a placarded vehicle. You should
Refuse to haul the load
32
32. The purpose of retarders is to
Help slow the vehicle while driving and reduce brake wear
33
33. While driving, you see a small (1-foot-square) card- board box ahead in your lane. You should
Steer around it without making a sudden or unsafe move
34
34. If your vehicle catches fire while you are driving, you should
Park in an open area
35
35. When should you review the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver?
You should review it during your pre-trip inspection
36
You can see a sign on a vehicle ahead of you. The sign is a red triangle with an orange center. What does the sign tell you about the vehicle?
It is a slow moving vehicle
37
Name some important steering system parts.
The rod, spindle, and pitman arm
38
The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the
Maximum GVW specified by the manufacture for a single vehicle, including its load
39
During a pre-trip inspection, you discover an ex- haust leak or power steering leak.You should
Report the problem and make arrangements to use another vehicle
40
The best drivers are those who watch and prepare for hazards. This is called being
Defensive
41
Name some things you should check on the FRONT of your vehicle during your pre-trip inspection.
Low beams, high beams, four-way flashers, and turn signals
42
The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is
Driving too fast for road conditions
43
What is an «escape ramp?»
Ramps that are located a few miles from the top of a downgrade to help you stop
44
A car suddenly cuts in front of you, creating a hazard. What should you NOT do?
Honk and stay close behind the car
45
If you are being tailgated, you should
Increase your following distance
46
What is a hazardous materials placard?
A sign placed on the outside of a vehicle that identifies the hazard class of the cargo
47
What is the most important hand signal that you and your backing helper should agree on?
Stop
48
What is the definition of <>
The cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep
49
It is important to shift gears correctly to keep
Control of the vehicle
50
The reaction distance is the distance traveled from the time
The brain tells the foot to push the brake pedal to the time the foot actually pushed the pedal
51
Bridge formulas permit
Less maximum axle weight for axles that are close together
52
The purpose of a baffle is to
Control the load surface
53
A vehicle is loaded with most of the weight on the steering
axle. What may result?
Hard steering and possible damage to the tires
54
Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is
The total weight of a single vehicle, including its load
55
You are starting your vehicle from a stop. As you apply power to the drive wheels, they start to spin. You should
Take your foot off the accelerator
56
For an average commercial vehicle being driven at 55 mph on dry pavement, it will take about bring the vehicle to a stop.
The length of a football field (300 feet)
57
Tie-downs must be of the proper type and strength. The combined strength of the cargo tie- downs must be enough to lift
One and one-half times the weight of the cargo being tied down
58
You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit a highway using an off ramp that curves downhill. You should
Slow down to a safe speed before taking the curve
59
What three thing related to cargo are the driver's responsibility?
Inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads, and properly securing the cargo
60
When should you downshift an automatic transmission?
When going down grades
61
When should you wear seat belts?
Anytime you are in a moving vehicle
62
What effects can wet brakes cause?
Brakes can gab or become weak
63
You should try to park your vehicle so that
You can pull forward when you leave
64
Cargo that can shift should have at least ___tie- downs.
Two
65
Containerized loads
Are typically use for freight carried partway by rail or ship
66
Converter dollies built on or after March 1, 1998 are required to have anti-lock brakes. These dollies will have
A yellow malfunction lamp on the left side of the dolly
67
How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
Three
68
It takes the body about ___ hours to get rid of the alcohol in four drinks
Four
69
How does «bleeding tar» affect the road surface and driving conditions?
Tar rises to the road surface in very hot weather, causing the roads to become very slippery
70
Can federal inspectors inspect your truck or bus?
Yes, and they can place it out of service
71
How far ahead should you look?
12-15 seconds
72
You should have a minimum of ___ tread on your steering tires.
4/32 inch
73
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph .The road is dry and visibility is good. What is the least amount of space you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?
4 seconds
74
You do not have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement on your commercial driver's license. You can drive a vehicle hauling hazardous materials when
The vehicle does not require placards
75
How can you avoid wet brake problems?
Slow down, shift to a low gear, and gently apply the brakes
76
On a two-way, two-lane road , if you must stop on a hill, how far back should you place your reflective triangles?
Within 500 feet behind the vehicle
77
Where or when should you test the stopping action of your service brakes?
When the vehicle is moving at about 5 mph
78
Some liquid tanks are divided into several smaller tanks by
Bulkheads
79
Why should you be in the proper gear before starting down a hill?
You will not be able to shift into a lower gear once you are going down a hill
80
The total weight of the powered unit, the trailer, and the cargo is called
Gross combination weight
81
To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 mph on the
shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement?
If possible, come to a complete stop before steering back onto the pavement
82
When approaching a traffic light that has been green for a long time, you should
Start to slow down so you will be ready to stop
83
For your safety, when setting out reflective triangles, you should
Hold the triangles between yourself and oncoming traffic
84
If you have been drinking alcohol, before you drive, you should
Wait for it to wear off
85
You must park on the side of a level, straight, two-lane road. Where should you place the reflective triangles?
One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 100 feet in front of the vehicle
86
If you don't have a CB radio, what is the first thing you should do at an accident scene?
Protect the accident scene
87
What is your most valuable way to see the sides and rear while driving?
Check your mirrors regularly
88
Implied consent meant that when you sign the driver's license application form, you
Consent to be tested for alcohol in your blood
89
If a straight vehicle (no trailer or articulation) goes into a front wheel skid, it will
Go straight ahead even in the steering wheel is turned
90
You should back and turn toward the driver's side
So you can watch the rear of the vehicle by looking out the side window
91
Stab braking
Involves releasing the brakes only after the wheels lock up
92
The oil pressure gauge should come up to normal within how long after starting the engine?
Seconds
93
When backing, why is it important to have a helper?
There are blind spots you can't see
94
The «load» means
The maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure
95
When inspecting mirrors and windshields for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers, and other obstructions to your vision, you should
Clean and adjust as necessary
96
You are driving a new truck with a manual trans- mission. To take a long, steep downhill grade,
Use a lower gear that you would use to climb the hill
97
Truck escape ramps
Are designed to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers and passengers
98
What should you do if you get stuck on the rail road tracks?
Get out of your vehicle and away from the tracks
99
What items should be checked for safety on the steering column?
Steering arms. Arms should not be missing any nuts, bolts, or cotter keys
100
If the vehicle in front of you is smaller than yours, it can probably
Stop faster than you
101
You should use a helper to help back your vehicle
When possible
102
If you need to leave the road in a traffic emergency, you should
Avoid braking until your speed has decreased to about 20 mph
103
Before transporting a sealed load, you must check that
The load is properly secured
104
As your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, what happens?
Judgment and self control are affected
105
According to the driver's manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?
It can startle other drivers
106
Why make emergency plans when you see a hazard?
To protect yourself and others
107
Every time you park your vehicle and shut the engine off, you should
Apply the parking brake
108
What is hydroplaning?
When the tires lose their contact with the road
109
What is the minimum length for mud flaps?
Within 8 inches of the surface of the road
110
What is the new blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for commercial drivers to be considered intoxicated when driving a commercial vehicle?
0.04
111
At night, when a vehicle is carrying a load that extends four feet or more beyond the rear of the body, there must be ___ at the extreme end of the load.
2 red lights
112
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 50 mph. Driving conditions are ideal (dry pavement, good visibility). What is the least amount of space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?
5 seconds
113
When driving at night, use your low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within
500 feet
114
What is black ice?
A thin layer of ice clear enough that you can see the road underneath it
115
To prevent skidding, you should
Adjust to conditions while driving
116
When you check the condition of visible parts during your pre-trip inspection, make sure that the
____ are secured against snagging, rubbing, or wearing.
Air lines and electrical wiring
117
If you are convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) while driving a commercial vehicle, and
this is your first offense, you will most likely get
At least a one year suspension of your CDL
118
Stab braking should not be used on vehicles with
Anti-lock brakes
119
Dry bulk tanks and hanging meat
Are unstable loads.
120
When a doctor prescribes medication for you and you know you will be driving, you should
Ask the doctor if the medication will affect your ability to drive
121
When looking ahead of your vehicle while you are driving, you should look
Back and forth, near and far
122
A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load
Balanced in the cargo area
123
What is an advantage of going right instead of left around an obstacle?
If you are blocked on both sides, a move to the right won't force another vehicle into an opposing traffic lane and a possible head-on collision
124
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is calculated by measuring a person's
Body weight
125
Hydroplaning
Is more likely when the pressure is low
126
Brake fade
Can be caused by the brakes becoming too hot
127
Retarders
Can cause the drive wheels to skid when they have poor traction
128
To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, you should
Countersteer
129
When you take a break in the middle of your trip you should check
Critical items such as tires, brakes, and cargo tie-downs
130
Your truck has a dual air system, and one of the systems loses its pressure. What will happen?
Either the front or rear brakes will not be fully operational
131
You should schedule your driving
For the hours you are normally awake
132
If you go twice as fast, your stopping distance will increase by
Four times
133
What is the first thing you should try to do if your brakes fail while driving downhill?
Get off the road as soon as possible
134
What should you do before driving if you are sleepy?
Get some sleep
135
What should the wheel bearing seals be checked for?
The hub oil level and possible leaks
136
Controlled braking
Is used to keep a vehicle in a straight line when braking
137
Is it legal to drive with one-fourth of a vehicle's leaf springs broken or missing?
No
138
How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a single railroad track? A double railroad track?
It takes 14 seconds to clear a single track and more than 15 seconds to clear a double track
139
What should you do if a car coming toward you at night keeps its high beams on?
Look toward the right edge of your lane or the right edge of the road
140
When you are passing another vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, you should assume that they
May move into your traffic lane
141
How can you test the parking brake?
Set the parking brake, try to move slowly
142
You are driving on a straight, level highway at 50 mph. There are no vehicles in front of you. Suddenly a tire blows out. What should you do first?
Stay off the brakes until the vehicle slows down on its own
143
The braking effect of the engine is ____ the governed rpm and the transmission is in the __ gears.
Near; lower
144
When driving in cold weather conditions, your tires should
Provide enough traction to steer and push the vehicle through snow
145
You must park on the side of a level, straight, four- lane, divided highway. Where should you place the three reflective triangles?
One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear
146
To avoid rollbacks when you start, you should
Partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake
147
What is a «pull-up?»
Pulling forward while backing a trailer to reposition it
148
What three things add up to total stopping distance for your truck or bus?
Perception distance, reaction distance, braking distance
149
What should you do if your vehicle hydroplanes?
Release the accelerator
150
If you have a heavy load that is slowing you down on an upgrade, you should
Shift into a lower gear
151
Convex curved mirrors
Show a wide area than flat mirrors
152
If required, a driver's trip log
Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it
153
How do you correct a rear-wheel acceleration skid?
Stop accelerating
154
While driving, ice builds up on your wipers and they no longer clean the windshield. You should
Stop safely and fix the problem
155
To help you stay alert while driving, you should
Take short breaks before getting too drowsy
156
If your brakes get wet while driving on a rainy day, what can happen when you apply the brakes?
Traile jackknifing
157
What are two ways to know when to shift?
Use engine speed (RPM) and road speed (MPH)
158
When driving through roadway work zones, you should
Watch for sharp pavement drop-offs
159
When roads are slippery, you should
Make turns as carefully as possible
160
Why are placards used?
To communicate the risk
161
What factors determine your choice of safe speed when going down a long, steep downgrade?
Total weight of the vehicle, length of the grade, steepness, road conditions, and weather
162
What are the two main things to look for ahead?
Traffic and road conditions
163
What things should you check during a trip?
Watch gauges and mirrors and use your senses to check for problems: look, listen, and smell
164
What is countersteering?
Turning the wheel back in the other direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency
165
What are two ways to know when to shift?
Use engine speed (RPM) and road speed (MPH)
166
What should you do if you see a hazard in the roadway?
Use you four-way flashers or brake lights to warn others
167
Blocking the cargo to keep it from sliding must be done
At the front, back, and/or sides of a piece of cargo
168
When driving in an area with few streetlights on a clear night, if you cannot see well with your head- lights, you should
Use your high beams when legal and keep your interior lights off
169
While driving, you should use your mirrors to check
Whee the rear of your vehicle is while you make turns
170
What is the most important reason for being alert to hazards?
You will have time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an emergency
171
Name some suspension system defects.
A cracked or broken spring hanger, broken leaves in a leaf spring, leaking shock absorbers
